Seedlings in Flasks 
A close-up view of two of the flasks showing Cattleya seedlings in development. 
The flasks contain sterilized nutrient jelly on which the seed, after also being 
sterilized, is sown. In due time the small seedlings appear and continue to grow 
for varying periods of from six months to two years, after which they are removed 
from the flasks and transplanted —20 to 30 in a small pot—and grown in the 
open greenhouse. The length of time required to bring the plant to flower from 
the seed averages from five to seven years for Cattleyas, which may seem a Very 
long time to wait; but it is intensely interesting to watch the development of the 
tiny seedlings and look forward to seeing the results. 
